Beant Singh's co-assassin refuses help from SAD

CNN-IBN | 19 Jun 2013 07:04 pm

Chandigarh: Former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's co-assassin Balwant Singh Rajaona has hit out at the Shiromani Akali Dal. In a letter written from his jail cell addressed to the Sikh community, Rajoana has refused help from the ruling party, saying it is trying to score political brownie points by supporting his clemency plea.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will meet the Prime Minister and the President to seek clemency for Rajoana. Badal has said that the state government would explore all legal actions to save Rajoana.

Jathedar Akal Takhat Gyani Gurbachan Singh had directed to Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Makkar to meet the Prime Minister and the President to save the life of Rajoana.

A trial court in Chandigarh is expected to decide on his execution on Tuesday. Rajoana is scheduled to be hanged on March 31.

The Akali Dal-backed Shriomani Gurdwara Pharbandhak Committee (SGPC) had earlier sent a petition to the President seeking clemency for Rajoana, citing over 11 'similar' cases where relief was given. Talking about the contents of petition, SGPC's Avtar Singh Makkar said more than eleven cases have been cited wherein relief was extended and the case of Balwant Singh Rajoana was also a fit case for clemency.

He said it was also pleaded in the petition that the co-accused Jagtar Singh Hawara in the same case was awarded death sentence which was reduced to life imprisonment in the High Court.

(With additional information from PTI)

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